Home to beautiful landscapes, rich fertile countryside, fascinating underground limestone palaces and Middle Earth, the Waikato has much to offer travellers and backpackers in the North Island.

Blessed with a temperate climate, the Waikato region boasts spectacular gardens, wonderful golf courses, world-renowned thoroughbred studs and a peaceful, rural setting framing even its largest city. There is nowhere better to being your New Zealand backpacking journey.

The district is easily explored and accessed by main roads through stunning scenery. Make sure the Waikato is on your 'must see' list of New Zealand destinations.

Explore Waikato's lush countryside

• Take a native bush walk 
• Stroll the Hamilton Gardens 
• Journey to Hobbiton in Matamata, Waikato's home of the Lord of the Rings

Experience delicious cuisine, fine wines  and a cosmopolitan caf culture:

• Sample the fare in one of Cambridge's charming cafes
• Eat from great menus at a huge variety of restaurants
• Take a chance at Hamilton's casino 
• Discover Adventure and Action 
• Visit Waitomo's underground caves
• Go blackwater rafting
• Surf the left hand break at Raglan 

Take part in one of Waikato's Festivals or Sporting Events

• Make a trip to the New Zealand National Agricultural Field Days 
• Watch rugby at Rugby Park
• Stop and smell the roses in Te Awamutu

Waikato has everything to offer the serious adventure seeker, holidaymakers looking for peace and quiet, or anyone wanting to experience a small piece of New Zealand paradise.